Tonoyan: Armenia and Russia are still negotiating on the supply of  weapons, within the framework of a $ 100 million gun loan

ArmInfo.Armenia and Russia are still negotiating on the issue of arms supplies, within  the framework of an arms loan for $ 100 million. The Acting President  said this on November 12 during a meeting with journalists. Defense  Minister of Armenia David Tonoyan, answering the question at what  stage is the sale of a $ 100 million gun loan

<Negotiations are not over. Armenia and Russia have already signed an  agreement, but negotiations on deliveries are still at the final  stage, "concluded Tonoyan.

Recall that in the second decade of 2017, then-Armenian President  Serzh Sargsyan stated that the RA signed an agreement on a weapon  loan of 100 million with Russia and its implementation will begin  after the completion of all interstate approvals. According to the  draft agreement, which the Armenian government approved on October  12, Russia will provide a loan to the Republic of Armenia for a  period of 20 years, of which the first five years are at a reduced 3  annual. At the same time, the share of co-financing in Armenia will  be 10% of the total cost of the program. On the basis of the loan  agreement, separate agreements will be concluded between the Ministry  of Defense of Armenia and Rosoboronexport OJSC on the procedure and  terms for the supply of weapons and military equipment. Repayment of  the principal amount of the loan is scheduled to begin on May 15,  2023 and be completed on May 15, 2037. In the first six years,  Armenia will annually repay a loan in the amount of 1.5 million,  after which the amount of deductions will increase to 3.6-3.8  million.

Early, Moscow has already granted Armenia a loan of 200 million for a  period of 10 years. Yerevan is buying from Smerch rocket launcher  systems and ammunition for it, Igla-S air defense missile system and  missiles for it, Avtobaz-M ground-based electronic reconnaissance  systems, TOS-1A Solneptek flame- thrower systems from Russia. "with  transport-charging vehicles TZM-T, 9M113M guided missiles, RPG- 26  grenade launchers, B-429E detonators, Dragunov sniper rifles, armored  vehicles, Tiger armored vehicles, engineering and communications  equipment. In addition, Russia supplied the Iskander missile system  to Armenia. According to the interim spending program for 2018-2020.  Armenia plans to increase military spending by $ 60 million annually.  The goal of Yerevan is to increase the level of military spending by  4% of GDP. Currently, Armenia's military expenditures amount to about  3.6% of GDP - about 450 million.